when to ask for a promotion?

[dionx]

At work, I have a Manager and a Group Lead. Both the Group Lead and I report to the manager. In a few weeks, the Group Lead will be on vacation and I will assume her duties, which I've done in the past before.

Also, there is an opening in another department that is a level up than my current position. I would really like to move up in my current department than transfer to another one. Do you think applying to that position will make my Manager want to keep me and therefore give me a promotion? I think I am in a good position for my Manager to keep me since no one else is trained to perform the Group Lead's duties. I do have a good shot at the other position because my skills and experience meets the qualifications.

So basically, do I ask for a promotion in the current department or apply to the other job in hopes that my Manager promotes me in order to prevent me from leaving? And do I do this before the Group Lead goes on vacation or after?

And if I do ask for a promotion, how should I approach it? Our company formally goes over promotions at the end of the year.

edit: somehow typed the same sentence twice. lol.

 

[kranky]

I would talk to your manager now and explain the situation like this:

- You know you are qualified for a promotion.
- You'd like to move up within the department you're in now.
- The other department has an opening which you are qualified for.

Then see what the manager says. Maybe there's a way to promote you now.

I think the worst move would be to apply for the other job just to see if your manager promotes you now. In most cases that won't work, since (1) your manager may not have an opening to promote you to, and (2) you have essentially demanded the manager drop everything to address this "emergency" immediately.

Keep in mind that your manager just might not have a better position for you, and you may need to move to the other department to move up. Managers can't create new positions out of thin air.

 

[dionx]

Well the promotion would be reasonable, as it's more a bump in rank as oppossed to a new position. I'm currently a Senior Chemist, and there have been positions such as Senior Chemist II. They primarily have the same duties and background except the latter requires 1-2 more additional years experience. I think I'll try your approach and not directly apply for the other position.

 

[kranky]

If you talk to your manager now, and are told that there's no way to promote you now, you can still apply for the other position without any of the negatives I mentioned above.

Good luck!

 

[OulOat]

Both the Group Lead and I report to the manager. The Group Lead and I report to the Manager.

 

[effee]

yea i noticed that too...

 

Originally posted by: dionx
Both the Group Lead and I report to the manager. The Group Lead and I report to the Manager.

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE: The group lead and he both report to the manager.